In prior posts, I've explained how I try to handle insecurity with humor, because laughing in the face of adversity sure beats crawling in a dark closet with a bag of Oreos and a bottle of red wine.
We all feel insecure at times, but there are decidedly different ways to handle it. I think most writers approach insecurity on the defense, trying to prepare for the worst and muddle through. However, some authors have adopted a more offensive strategy, in all senses of the word. I think most people will agree that insecurity can be the root of other negative emotions like envy or in the extreme, hate. When I saw this historical list of the top 30 author-on-author insult smackdowns, I had to wonder how much insecurity had to do with the animosity.
Never cross an author, they have mad insult skills. And if you live with an author, take a cue from this clip from the New Yorker to keep insecurity--and the offensive author--at bay.
